Binghamton University offers its own institutionally-based scholarships, fellowships and awards through the auspices of the Binghamton University Foundation. The Foundation assists over 2,000 students with support totaling over $3.4 million annually. Funds have been made available for these programs through the generosity of donors who wish to support the educational aspirations of Binghamton University students.
Scholarships
The Binghamton University Foundation, in partnership with Financial Aid and Student Records, administers over 440 named scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students based on criteria established by the donor and contained in the scholarship gift agreement. Selection criteria might include matriculation status, school and department affiliation, financial need, academic achievement, community service, county residency, grade level and expected graduation date. Interested applicants should refer to the Financial Aid Scholarship website for more information and a link to search the scholarship database.
All need-based scholarships require the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For students to have the best chance at all available financial aid funding, including need-based scholarships, the University-recommended FAFSA filing date is January 1 for new students and March 1 for returning students.
Scholarship recipients are notified by the Binghamton University Foundation and awards are reflected in the recipient’s financial aid package.
Awards
The Binghamton University Foundation awards program administers more than 140 achievement-based awards. Consideration for these awards is given to students who have been nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students. Award recipients are selected by representatives of the various academic departments or organizations that sponsor the award to recognize excellence and to honor students for exemplary service. No application process exists for awards. Awards recipients are notified by the Binghamton University Foundation and funding is provided directly to the student at the conclusion of the spring semester.
Assistantships and Fellowships
A number of benefactors have established fellowships or assistantships for graduate students at Binghamton University. Graduate students supported by a fellowship have few or no work requirements, allowing the recipients to devote their time exclusively to the pursuit of their graduate degrees. Some fellowships include a partial or full-tuition scholarship. Teaching and Graduate Assistants work approximately 10-20 hours per week and receive an academic year stipend. Most teaching and graduate assistants also receive a tuition scholarship. In addition, donors have established several research grants to provide reimbursement of expenses related to student research activities. Application, selection and notification for these types of student aid are made through sponsoring departments.
For more information about donor-provided student aid, visit the Binghamton University Foundation website or contact:
Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
Division of Advancement
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
607-777-6927
All applicants to the Graduate School are evaluated and considered for fellowships and assistantships. To be considered for University funding, students must submit completed applications by the published application deadline. Application and funding deadlines vary by program. International applicants should generally apply at least one month before these deadlines. While there is no general funding application, certain programs, departments, schools and colleges may have specific funding requirements.
Decisions on the awarding of assistantships and fellowships are made by the department or school/college to which the applicant is seeking admission. Applicants for fellowship and assistantship support are notified by the department or school/college as soon as possible after decisions have been made. Assistantship and fellowship awards to new and continuing students are made on a competitive basis, normally for a period of one academic year. The graduate committee of the program determines the procedures and criteria for renewal of the award in subsequent academic years.
Recipients of assistantships and fellowships must pursue a full-time program of study. The recipient’s obligation to provide service in exchange for the stipend and/or tuition scholarship is clearly described in the letter of appointment, as is the stipend/tuition scholarship amount and other important terms and conditions of the appointment. Students receiving an assistantship or fellowship are expected to agree to and sign the appropriate terms and conditions statements, which are available on the Human Resources website.
Tuition Scholarships for Assistants and Fellows
Scholarships covering part or all of the cost of tuition may be awarded to enrolled graduate students who qualify on the basis of merit, pursuant to guidelines established by the chancellor of the State University of New York.
Tuition scholarship recipients who are eligible must establish New York state residency before classes begin. In the second year, and before classes begin, the student must then apply for residency using the Application for New York State Residency Status for Tuition Billing Purposes, which is available from and must be filed with Student Accounts. International students and students who remain financially dependent on their parents are not eligible and therefore need not apply for residency.
Tuition scholarship support is used to establish financial aid loan eligibility. Students who apply for financial aid will find their eligibility reduced by the amount of the tuition scholarship at the time the scholarship is applied and should consult with their financial aid counselor.
Tuition scholarship funds may not be used to cover any courses that are not graduate courses including: 100-, 200- or 300-level courses, 400-level courses not individually approved for graduate credit, courses taken on an audit basis or physical education courses.
Students who withdraw or reduce enrollment from full-time to part-time prior to the last day of the semester forfeit the tuition scholarship award. Such students become liable for repayment of any tuition covered by tuition scholarship funds.
Tuition scholarship awards provide for remission of tuition only. Students receiving a tuition scholarship are expected to agree to and sign the appropriate terms and conditions statements, which are available on the Human Resources website.
Individual departments are required to ensure that students meet the above terms and conditions. By signing the form, the student agrees to meet them. The student’s failure to meet them will result in a temporary hold on his or her paycheck.
Enrollment Requirements and Employment Limitations
A student holding a fellowship, assistantship or traineeship appointment must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the period of the award. Since the award of an assistantship or fellowship carries the expectation that the recipient is a full-time student, students receiving these stipends may not concurrently be otherwise employed without special permission from their school/college dean’s office. A student’s total obligation may not exceed 20 hours per week. Students holding full-time jobs are not eligible for fellowships or assistantships.
Teaching and Research Requirements for Graduate Students, Assistants and Trainees
A significant number of master’s and doctoral students hold assistantships or traineeships awarded by the University to enable them to pursue study toward their degrees. As in the case of fellowships or scholarships, these assistantships and traineeships are awarded on a competitive basis, with academic merit being the primary determining criterion, but with financial need also taken into account in some cases.
Research assistants help faculty members in their research work. Graduate assistants and trainees usually assist faculty in research efforts and may also assist in the teaching of undergraduate courses. Teaching assistants focus on helping faculty in the teaching of courses. Research Foundation appointments for full-time graduate students performing duties related to their educational requirements may carry the title of research project assistant. The assistants in all of these categories typically serve approximately 10 to 20 hours per week in research or teaching while pursuing regular full-time study toward their degrees.
These research and teaching assignments are in accordance with the requirement stipulated in guidelines issued by the chancellor of the State University of New York to the effect that all graduate degree candidates are required to demonstrate mastery both of research capability and of teaching competence. In every instance, the research or teaching service performed by assistants is conducted under the supervision and evaluation of a faculty mentor. This service is apprenticeship training in partial fulfillment of the requirements of their master’s or doctoral degree programs, as stipulated by the chancellor of the State University of New York; these requirements must be fulfilled in an equivalent manner by all degree candidates. Assignments as assistants or trainees, therefore, are intrinsic to the teaching and research apprenticeships required for the completion of degree requirements. At the same time, the stipends support the most academically meritorious students in completing their degree requirements in the shortest possible time.
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